Difference between revisions of "User:Alx9r"

From LinuxMCE
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 2: Line 2:
 
In May 2008, I began building a LinuxMCE test system.  I wanted to see if I could replicate at least part of what I saw in the [[Video]].  The test system system will hopefully become my main working home theatre system.   
 
In May 2008, I began building a LinuxMCE test system.  I wanted to see if I could replicate at least part of what I saw in the [[Video]].  The test system system will hopefully become my main working home theatre system.   
  
AV gear-wise, I started with a completely clean slate here as I was not invested in any home theatre gear.
+
AV gear-wise, I started with a completely clean slate here as I had nothing: No TV, no speakers, no receiver, no remotes -- a blank canvas. Nice, this is gonna be fun.
  
 
My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:
 
My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:
#Wherever possible use known-compatible components.
+
#Wherever possible use known-compatible and mainstream components.
 
#Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, and wiki.
 
#Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, and wiki.
 
#Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
 
#Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
Line 15: Line 15:
 
====Bill of Materials====
 
====Bill of Materials====
 
{| border="1"
 
{| border="1"
! Component !! Model !! Price !! Notes
+
! Component !! Model !! each !! Notes
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Motherboard
 
| Motherboard
Line 33: Line 33:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| CPU
 
| CPU
|
+
| AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.4GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM
|
+
| $80.92 
|
+
| [[Video]] used 4400+, 4600+ is cheaper and maybe faster
 
|-
 
|-
 
| heatsink  
 
| heatsink  
Line 41: Line 41:
 
| $38.98
 
| $38.98
 
| should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan
 
| should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan
 +
|-
 +
| RAM
 +
| Kingston PC2-5300 512MB DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM
 +
| $16.70
 +
| 2 sticks
 
|-
 
|-
 
| second ethernet adapter
 
| second ethernet adapter
Line 46: Line 51:
 
| $8.68
 
| $8.68
 
| based on [[Realtek_8139]]
 
| based on [[Realtek_8139]]
 +
|-
 +
| TV Tuner
 +
| [[Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE]]
 +
| $79.78
 +
| comes with [[Windows MCE Remote]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| HDD
 
| HDD
 
| Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB  
 
| Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB  
 
| $87.20
 
| $87.20
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| optical drive
 +
| Pioneer DVR-212D Black
 +
| $32.19
 
|  
 
|  
 
|-
 
|-
Line 56: Line 71:
 
| $129.99
 
| $129.99
 
| HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core
 
| HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core
 +
|-
 +
| power supply
 +
| OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W
 +
| $61.99
 +
| cheap, works, apparently quiet
 
|}
 
|}
  

Revision as of 05:01, 2 May 2008

My First System

In May 2008, I began building a LinuxMCE test system. I wanted to see if I could replicate at least part of what I saw in the Video. The test system system will hopefully become my main working home theatre system.

AV gear-wise, I started with a completely clean slate here as I had nothing: No TV, no speakers, no receiver, no remotes -- a blank canvas. Nice, this is gonna be fun.

My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:

  1. Wherever possible use known-compatible and mainstream components.
  2. Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, and wiki.
  3. Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
  4. Aesthetics should be living-room friendly.
  5. Keep it simple, but still test the broad capabilities of LinuxMCE.

Hybrid Box

Bill of Materials

Component Model each Notes
Motherboard ASUS M2NPV-VM $94.01 used in Video
breakout ASUS SPDIF-OUT/OPT $9.02 SPDIF breakout board
breakout ASUS 9PIN Serial Port Header $6.60 two of these to breakout COM ports
CPU AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.4GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM $80.92 Video used 4400+, 4600+ is cheaper and maybe faster
heatsink Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2 $38.98 should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan
RAM Kingston PC2-5300 512MB DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM $16.70 2 sticks
second ethernet adapter ENCORE ENL832-TX-RENT $8.68 based on Realtek_8139
TV Tuner Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE $79.78 comes with Windows MCE Remote
HDD Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB $87.20
optical drive Pioneer DVR-212D Black $32.19
case Silverstone Lascala LC17B $129.99 HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core
power supply OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W $61.99 cheap, works, apparently quiet

TV

Speakers

Orbiter